As a follow up to our special edition magazine "If My Teacher Only Knew", and with the support of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation and the Knight Foundation, De-Bug launched the Schoolin' the Schools Media Contest. We asked high schools students across Santa Clara and San Mateo County to submit their videos, song/spoken word pieces, art/photography pieces sharing their visions on how Silicon Valley schools can better serve, prepare, and inspire students. We received remarkable submissions, clearly indicating that students themselves have the blueprint in how to re-imagine our school systems. Below is media sharing perspectives at a forum we held in collaboration with San Jose 2020, as well as profiles of the winners and their work in each category. Winners received Ipads, and runner ups received Itouches. Check em out!

Interview with Donae James Johnican winner of the Audio Category for the Silicon Valley De-Bug “Schooln’ The Schools Media Contest.” Check out the Schoolin the Schools Media category page for more related content.

Interview with Daniel Valencia winner of the Photography Category for the Silicon Valley De-Bug "Schooln' The Schools Media Contest." Check out the Schoolin' the Schools Media category page for more related content.

Interview with Courtney Coffman winner of the Video Category for the Silicon Valley De-Bug “Schooln’ The Schools Media Contest.” Check out the Schoolin the Schools Media category page for more related content.

Here is a video/audio mash up up submissions that was shown at the Designing the 21st Century School event held at the end of 2012 at the Mexican Heritage Plaza. The event had over 200 high students, who were asked to respond to what they saw and heard in the video. Check out the Schoolin the Schools Media category page for more related content.

Over 200 students from San Jose gathered to discuss the current conditions of public education, and to imagine the schools of the future that can inspire and prepare the next generation. The precedent setting event was supported by educators, policy-makers and community advocates who are supportive these pioneering youth. Writing by Daniel Zapien, video by Fernando Perez.